<p>I'm VERY involved at my school--not primarily because clubs and leadership positions look good on a college resume, but because I am interested and passionate in a variety of subjects. However, because the college admissions see so many superficial applications with "fill-in" and guilded clubs and leadership positions, I don't know if I'm going to stand out as being genuine or not. I am wondering if my clubs reflect my passions to a stranger. </p>
<p>I am interested in political science, law, music (classical), with business and philosophy mixed in. I'm planning on double majoring in piano performance and political science.</p>
<p>National Honors Society
President of National Law Society
National Forensic League
Pianist and Alternate Percussionist for the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony
Attorney and Team Captain of Mock Trial
Debate Team-Student Congress and Prose/Poetry
Founder and President of Students.Against.Victimization.Everywhere
co-Editor-in-Chief for Journalism
Program Director for Math Club
Film Club
Founder of Peer College Counseling</p>
<p>I know that Math Club and Film Club are a bit out of left field, but the math club interests me because it puts math in a different perspective out of a high school classroom. I even got to give a lecture of the mathmatics of chords in music. Film Club was started by my best friend and we watch really great, artistic films.</p>
<p>well it depends on what grade you are in. if you're a junior, you're better off staying in these clubs in order to show consistency. if you sign up for a bunch of other clubs and activites now, it might look "forced" on your applications. however, a few summer activities will look good, and a few events if you can find them.
if you're a sophmore or a freshman, then you can definitely look into more clubs.</p>
<p>you might also want to take one particular interest you have and expand on it. there are lots of books on this type of thing that you may want to check out.</p>
<p>fhp91: I'm a rising senior, so I probably won't join anything else. most everything listed I've been a part of for 3 years+ and I am planning on expanding, because I have made significant contributions to each, I believe. </p>
<p>I forgot: I'm was also on the academic bowl team in 9th a 10th grade. I was going to be in it junior year, but they didn't have enough "funding"...I hope we can "afford" it this year.</p>
<p>This summer I'm attending the Brevard Music Center for 6 weeks for piano on an $1,800 non-need based scholarship (which I may mention since I turned in my audition cd way past deadline). Last Summer I attended the Walter Hautzig Master Class (as well as in previous years), and the Andre LaPlante master class in Adamant, Vermont. I also participated in the UGA Law Academy last year for mock trial, though that was in the fall. This year I'll be in the county's youth leadership program, for which you have to go through an audition/interview.</p>
<p>Y'know, you seem like a pretty cool kid--your style stands out from a lot of the crazy people who post here wanting to know their "chances" or get advice on how to get in. </p>
<p>My advice, fwiw--stick with what you're interested in, and if you'd like go ahead "expanding" your involvement with those interests. Senior year is often a good time to really go into what you want to do and let up a little on other things, especially as you have to prioritize normal school stuff, activities, college apps and those undervalued (here) things like spending time with family and friends. Pursuing things deeply is a win-win situation--it might very well help you "stand out," give you good essay material and a coherent focus, etc., and even if it doesn't help with acceptance places you'll be happier for having done it.</p>
<p>Take the time to write good essays. Not only is it a skill that's less common than one might think, but it also gives you the chance to reflect a little and sort things out in your own head in an otherwise crazy period when time to keep perspective can be lacking.</p>
<p>National Honor society is not useless according to my son's Harvard counselor. He told him that NHS is a club that is well known and depending on the school "school profile" report it can be a plus. NHS is handles differently at high schools. Some schools is nothing more than a useless club but in others they really do big elaborate volunteering. At my son's school they got together with a non profit who helped raise $26,000 for homeless kids in Africa. So in our high school, NHS is BIG.</p>
<p>guitars: I wish it were like that in my little old school. It's kind of a joke, but it's like a standard. I may just mention it, because I definitely don't want colleges to think that I DIDN'T qualify for it. </p>
<p>bagpiper: thanks. I did (shame on me) recently post a chance thread (everyone check it out! ...shame on me). I know that no one can tell me, without being extremely arrogant, that I can get in without a doubt. I guess it's a confidence factor for me, but also because I want to see if strangers can point out flaws in my application that I haven't already pinpointed. It's kind of like a proofread, I guess. </p>
<p>I'm going to start writing my essays fairly soon. I won't lie: I'm intimidated by the process. I don't think I will have written anything as personal as my essays will turn out to be. But I guess that's what they want, so I guess that's what I have to give them.</p>
<p>gadad: I'll be performing as often as possible, so I guess that means definitely July 3, since they are having student piano recitals. See you there!</p>
<p>Dartmouth: We require a certain amount of hours in order to remain in NHS. I think it's 10 over the course of the year. But that's fine with me, since my club SAVE requires 10 a semester. (5 of the community service hours for NHS must be WITH NHS.)</p>